Minnesota Felony: Laws, Penalties, Sentencing, and Records

In Minnesota, a felony is defined as a criminal violation that carries a potential sentence of one or more years in the state’s prison. Felonies are the highest level of crimes committed under Minnesota law, and they carry harsh penalties. Individuals convicted of a felony may face a number of consequences. These include long-term confinement, financial penalties, limitations on civil rights, and prior conviction of a crime.

In Minnesota, felony offenses are not grouped under traditional classifications such as Class (A–D or Level 1–6). Instead, any crime that results in a sentence longer than one year is considered a felony. Sentencing decisions are based on statutory ranges and the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines grid system. This takes into account the gravity of an offense and the individual’s criminal history.

What Is Considered a Felony in Minnesota?

Felonies in Minnesota are defined under the Minnesota Statutes (Chapter 609 and related codes). The following are the crimes that qualify as felonies in Minnesota:

• Violent Crimes: Murder, manslaughter, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, and kidnapping are in this category. They involve the threat of harm to others.
• Drug Crimes: It involves illegal activities related to the manufacturing, distribution, and trafficking of controlled substances. Usually, penalties vary based on the drug type, quantity, and prior convictions of such a crime.
• Property Crimes: These types of crimes involve the intentional destruction of property or theft. Often, arson, burglary, theft of property worth $1,000 or more, and motor vehicle theft are classified as property crimes.
• White-Collar Crimes: These entail fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and identity theft. They typically lead to serving prison terms and restitution orders.
• Weapon Offenses: Possession of a firearm by a felon, illegal firearm trafficking, and use of a weapon during a felony typically lead to an increase in sentencing terms.

Misdemeanors may escalate into felonies depending on the value of property or injury:

• Theft below $1,000 is counted as a misdemeanor. Felonies involve theft in which the value of stolen property is above $1,000.
• Assault becomes a felony if a dangerous weapon is used to carry out a crime or serious injury occurs.

What Is a Felony in Minnesota?

Minnesota law defines a felony as any offense punishable by more than one year in state prison. Misdemeanors involve reduced sentence terms and payment of lower monetary fines.

The outcomes of a felony conviction in Minnesota include:

• Prison sentences ranging from 1 year to life imprisonment.
• Offenders are required to pay up to $1,000,000 in fines for the most severe felonies.
• Loss of civil rights such as firearm ownership, serving on the jury, and voting (although voting rights are restored upon release).
• A permanent criminal record may affect a person’s immigration status, ability to secure employment, obtain housing, and acquire professional licenses.

Felony Penalties in Minnesota

Minnesota does not categorize felonies into distinct classes; rather, the penalties for each offense are prescribed by statute.

The following is an overview of felony-level penalties applicable in Minnesota jurisdiction:

• First-Degree Murder: This carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.
• Second-Degree Murder: This is punishable by up to 40 years in prison.
• Manslaughter: This is a type of murder resulting from negligent and reckless driving. It carries up to a 15-year term in prison.
• First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct: It is subject to a penalty of up to 30 years in prison.
• Aggravated Robbery (First Degree): This category of robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. It involves robbery committed with a dangerous weapon or resulting in bodily harm.
• Burglary (First Degree): This attracts a 20-year term in incarceration.
• Theft over $35,000: Individuals who commit theft valued above $35,000 are liable to a jail term of 20 years under Minnesota law. Also, they are required to pay a fine of up to $100,000 or both.
• Drug Trafficking (First Degree): This is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, and it requires the payment of fines up to $1,000,000.

Felony Sentencing Guidelines in Minnesota

To maintain statewide consistency in criminal sentencing, Minnesota follows a structured guideline grid system created by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission (MSGC).

Key Sentencing Factors

1. Severity Level: Each felony offense is assigned a severity level between 1 and 11, with 11 representing the most serious crimes.
2. Criminal History Score: The horizontal axis of the grid reflects the offender’s criminal history score, which increases with prior convictions. A higher score results in a longer sentence.
3. Presumptive Sentences: The grid recommends either imprisonment or probation based on the intersection of the severity level of the crime and past criminal history.
4. Mandatory Minimums: Certain crimes, especially those involving firearms and drug trafficking, carry mandatory prison terms set by statutes.
5. Aggravating Factors: This involves crimes against vulnerable victims, repeat violent offenses, and use of weapons. This may lead to presumptive sentences.
6. Mitigating Factors: First-time offenders, performing a minor role in a crime, or evidence of rehabilitation are all mitigating factors that may influence sentence outcomes.
7. Probation and Stays of Sentence: Some felonies may result in probation or a stay of sentence, meaning the prison term is delayed or suspended. This is usually the case if such crimes are nonviolent or involve little severity.
8. Life Sentences: This is reserved for the most severe crimes, such as first-degree murder under the Minnesota law.

A robbery involving a weapon categorized at severity level 8 may carry a presumptive sentence between 48 and 68 months for a first-time offender. Repeat offenders typically face longer prison terms depending on their prior criminal history.

Felony Laws and Procedures in Major Minnesota Cities

Minneapolis (Hennepin County)

In Minneapolis, felony cases are handled by the Hennepin County DistrictCourt. It is generally one of the busiest trial courts in Minnesota, and records are accessible through the Hennepin County District Clerk's Office. Alternatively, the public may find records on the Minnesota Trial Court Public Access (MPA) system.

St. Paul (Ramsey County)

The Ramsey County District Court has jurisdiction over felony cases in St. Paul. Cases that are commonly adjudicated in this court include those relating to drug crimes, property offenses, and violent felonies. Copies of records and access to these proceedings are managed by the Ramsey County District Clerk’s Office.

Duluth (St. Louis County)

In Duluth, felony proceedings are handled by the St. Louis County District Court, which regularly adjudicates property and drug-related crimes. Anyone may find information relating to felony adjudication in St. Louis County by scheduling an in-person visit to the office of the St. Louis County District Court Clerk.

How to Search for Felony Records in Minnesota

Felony case records in Minnesota are accessible through a number of official sources:

1. Minnesota Trial Court Public Access (MPA) System

The MPA system offers online access to felony case information. You may look up records by entering a name, case number, or even the attorney’s name. These records usually show important case information such as:

• Charges and filing dates.
• Court location.
• Case outcomes and sentencing.

2. County Clerk of Court Offices

Certified felony case files and official records may be obtained from the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the felony was prosecuted.

3. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) maintains statewide criminal history records in Minnesota. Background checks may also be conducted, and they are fingerprint-based. They also include felony convictions as part of the criminal history reports.

4. Local Police Departments and Sheriffs

Police agencies in Minnesota maintain arrest and incident records that may include felony charges. The police agencies in Minnesota maintain arrest and incident records that may include felony charges. Requests may be submitted under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

5. Third-Party Background Checks

Reliable third-party platforms also provide access to Minnesota felony records. Records obtained from the courthouse and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in Minnesota are considered official sources of criminal history information.

Open vs. Sealed Records

• Open Records: Most felony convictions are typically public record and accessible to anyone.
• Expungement: Minnesota allows expungement of certain felony convictions after a certain waiting period (generally ranging from 5 to 15 years) following sentence completion. Also, if the individual remains crime-free, their records may be eligible for expungement. Serious violent and sexual felonies are generally excluded from this eligibility.

Why Understanding Felonies in Minnesota Matters

Felony convictions in Minnesota extend beyond serving prison terms and paying monetary fines. They impose limitations on civil rights and restrict access to employment and housing. In addition, they permanently damage one’s public reputation.

For individuals, employers, and organizations, understanding felony laws, sentencing guidelines, and record access is essential to navigating the justice system.

Felonies in Minnesota are defined by statute rather than by class, with penalties ranging from one year in prison to life imprisonment. In Minnesota, sentencing is determined by the Guidelines grid, which balances the severity levels of an offense with the criminal history scores of an offender.

Felony records may be accessed through the Minnesota Court Records Online portal, county clerk offices, or the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Access to these records ensures transparency while permitting expungement in selected cases.